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Saturday, November 3, 2012

Ian Fleming: Freemason Or Not?

Sean Connery as James B

James Bond movies are celebrating 50 years just in time for the release of the much anticipated 23rd Bond movie Skyfall. The new movie has already broken every record previously existing when it opened overseas last week. And many were pleased to hear that Daniel Craig has signed on to two more films! Without question, there are few film heros more iconic than 007--and few movies that are more anticipated than a new James Bond movie. Everyone has a favorite Bond. Everyone has a favorite Bond movie. Everyone has a favorite "Bond girl." Bond movies are part of our fabric now--we all know "M" and "Q" and "Moneypenny."

I remember the first Bond movies I saw in the theater--it was Octopussy. I've been hooked ever since--and my wife is a huge fan as well, and while she leans towards Connery as her favorite, and I've always like Moore, we both agree that Daniel Craig may very well wind up being both our favorite in the end. We plan on finding a sitter, and going to do something we don't get to do much--have a date night and see a new James Bond movie.

Author Ian Fleming

There have been rumors for years that James Bond novelist Ian Fleming was a Freemason. There was a book written by Philip Gardiner released a few years ago called The Bond Code that even suggested the books and movies used Freemason symbolism and themes . . . no doubt many Masonic conspiracy theorists believe Freemasonry is actually a lot like SPECTRE. I've watched all the movies, and I'm sorry, I just don't see any "secret society" themes or symbolism--none. And I have looked for it--it's just not there.

As far as Ian Fleming goes--sadly, there's no evidence he was ever a Freemason.

is an author and novelist whose work includes the award-winning non-fiction historical series Famous American Freemasons and the novels One Last Shot (2011), A Shot After Midnight (2012) and Shot to Hell (2014).